In the Gospel this morning, Jesus reminds us that following Him is not always a rose garden. It involves taking up the cross. He says to James and John, “Can you drink the chalice that I drink?” In their enthusiasm, they declare that they can, and history shows that they eventually did. Jesus says the same to us today. It’s a call to Holiness, a call to a life that emulates His own.
That means we, too, are called to be servants. Jesus says: “Whoever wishes to be first, will be the slave of all.” All too often, people see that as a life of struggle and unhappiness. The world tells us to put ourselves first, that to enjoy this life, to grab it by the horns! Our Saint today, Saint Philip Neri shows us that life can be both holy and cheerful, obedient and joy-filled.
Philip was known for his sense of humor and kind nature. It is said that people would flock to him and follow him around. They enjoyed his company. Philip was constantly in a crowd of people; he allowed his follower’s free access to him and continued hearing confessions and engaging in ministry and prayer.
He would say to them, “Well, brothers, when shall we begin to do good?” Then losing no time in converting good conversation to good actions, Philip would lead his followers to hospitals to wait on the sick or to the Church, to pray to and encounter Jesus Christ. Even on the day of his death, he remained ever faithful to the calling of Christ and served those around him.
“On the Feast of Corpus Christi, May 25, 1595, Philip was told by his physician that he was not healthy. He had not looked well for ten years. Philip realized his time had come to pass on to the Lord. For the remainder of the day, he listened to confessions and saw his visitors as normal.
Before heading off to bed, Philip stated, “Last of all, we must die.” Around midnight of May 26, 1595, Philip suffered from a hemorrhage and passed away at 80-years-old.”
(From Catholic Online -Saints and Angels)
Saint Philip is the patron saint of humor and joy. He reminds us that Holiness IS happiness. That the closer we find ourselves to Christ, the more we serve others, the light our soul should be. So today, I think we should meditate on the question Philip would ask if he were here among us: “Well, brothers and sisters, when today shall we begin to do good?” Let’s start with the Eucharist, the source and summit of our faith. Let’s receive Him, Jesus Christ, the wellspring of joy and happiness. Then let us go into the world, and bring it to everyone else.